" cried Hubert. And to
the attendants he exclaimed fiercely, "Begone! Did I not bid you be
swift, that the very blood in my veins should not turn to water?
Fellows--begone! It may be that my task will be easier if I work alone
and he resist me."

The two attendants turned in terror before the wrath of the chamberlain
and fled. And before Hubert had withdrawn his eyes from their
retreating forms certain strange events came to pass.

The Masked Lady had remained, strangely tranquil, before the Book of
Truth; but now she lifted her eyes, because the great windows with
their leaded panes had been thrust open. Outside the open windows
there were revealed the head and shoulders of the giant, Will o'Dreams.

The giant paused long enough to take in the scene before him, and then
he disappeared in great agitation.

A moment later he had reappeared and had lifted Everychild to a level
with the window sill.

CHAPTER XIX

HOW AN UNFORTUNATE PRINCE ESCAPED

The giant could be heard whispering to Everychild: "I cannot enter
here. The things which are taking place in this room--they stagger me.
But you may do so." Whereupon he placed Everychild on the window sill
and withdrew with a shudder.

A light leap, and Everychild was in the room, advancing and taking in
his surroundings with amazed eyes. But no one paid any attention to
him. Hubert de Burgh stood near Prince Arthur, a smoking iron in his
hand. The two attendants closed the door behind them with a crash.
Then Arthur spoke again:

"I could not bear to have them looking, Hubert," he said. "It will be
easier, just we two alone. I am ready now."

It was then that Hubert gripped Arthur by the shoulder; he brought the
hot iron close to his face. And then again his resolution failed him.
His hand trembled; he paused. Presently he was gazing away over the
prince's head, almost as if he saw a vision, and his hand on the boy's
shoulder slowly relaxed.

"A strange lad!--a strange lad!" he mused. And then looking
wonderingly at Arthur he added, "The agony is gone from your eyes when
you look at me now. And yet it is I who would destroy you--not those
fellows who made you tremble so!"

The prince drew himself up with unconscious pride. "I would rather
suffer at the hands of those I love than receive benefits from
hirelings," he said.

But Hubert shook his head darkly. "Hirelings?" he repeated. "Ah, who
is not a hireling, when a king may have his wa